The ritual bathing of the Shivling with milk, water, honey and other offerings while Pandits chant the Rudri (Sri Rudram), one of the most loved Shiva pujas.
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Varanasi · Kashi · Banaras
Ganga Puja in Varanasi
Nowhere is Ganga Puja more natural than in Varanasi, where the river curves past more than eighty ghats and families have offered flowers, diyas and prayers to Ganga Maiya for centuries.
A Pandit can guide your family through a private Ganga Puja at a ghat, with sankalp, offerings of flowers, milk and diyas, and a small aarti of your own, separate from the large public aarti.
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ।
निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥
Vakratuṇḍa mahākāya sūryakoṭi samaprabha, nirvighnaṁ kuru me deva sarvakāryeṣu sarvadā.
Why Varanasi
Why families choose Varanasi for Ganga Puja
For many Hindus, a visit to Kashi feels incomplete without honouring the Ganga. A personal puja at the water's edge lets the family take part directly, rather than only watching from the steps.
Families often mark milestones here: a wedding anniversary, a child's first visit to Kashi, Ganga Dussehra, or a vow fulfilled. Many combine the puja with a morning boat ride along the ghats.
Local traditions & timing
- Early morning is calm and preferred; evenings near Dashashwamedh Ghat are crowded because of the public Ganga aarti.
- During the monsoon the river rises and some lower ghat steps are closed; the Pandit will choose a safe spot.
- Ganga Dussehra and Kartik Purnima bring very large crowds; book early and allow extra time.
- PujaKarma arranges a Pandit for your own puja; it is not connected to the organisers of the public aarti.
Where it's performed
- A quieter ghat such as Assi or one chosen by the Pandit
- A boat on the Ganga, for a small family puja
- Your hotel terrace overlooking the river, where allowed
- Online sankalp with a Pandit at the ghat, for family abroad
Planning tips
- Tell us whether you prefer a sunrise or sunset puja.
- Wear comfortable clothes and footwear you can remove easily on the ghat steps.
- Use leaf or flower diyas and avoid plastic in the river.
- Share family names and gotra for the sankalp.
About Ganga Puja
Worship of Maa Ganga on the ghats of Varanasi, with sankalp, offerings, deep daan and aarti, traditionally performed on Ganga Dussehra and family occasions.
Duration
45 minutes to 1.5 hours
Pricing
On enquiry
Online option
Available
Ganga Puja in Varanasi: FAQs
Is this the same as the evening Ganga aarti?
No. The public aarti is performed by temple and ghat organisers. A Ganga Puja through PujaKarma is your family's own ritual with a Pandit, usually at a quieter time and place.
Can we do the puja from a boat?
Yes, a small family puja can be done on a boat. We will confirm the boat and a safe time with you, particularly in the monsoon.
More in Varanasi
Other rituals families book in Varanasi
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The grandest form of Rudra worship, traditionally 1331 recitations of the Rudram by a large group of Pandits, with abhishek and havan over several days.
Details
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6 to 8 hours with 11 Pandits (longer if fewer Pandits)
An elaborate Rudra anushthan, traditionally 121 recitations of the Rudram by 11 Pandits with abhishek, often concluding with a Rudra havan.
Details
Shiva PujasIn-person availableOnline availableMahamrityunjaya Jaap
1 to 11 days, depending on the chant count and number of Pandits
A sankalp-based chanting of the Mahamrityunjaya mantra by Pandits, commonly in counts like 11,000, 51,000 or 1.25 lakh, traditionally sought for strength and wellbeing.
Details
शुभं भवतु
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Book Ganga Puja in Varanasi
Tell us your dates, where you are staying and your family traditions. We'll confirm Pandit availability and pricing on WhatsApp.